Mastiff's are funny creatures. Even though they are of the canine persuasion, the mastiff is unlike any dog I have ever known.
First, the sheer size of the beast is wonder like. Living with Guy day after day, does dull our perception of how big he really is. We tend to notice it more when we try to cram him into small spaces. He, for the most part, is always willing and ready. He will very happily cram himself into the tiny back seat of a car if it means going for a car ride.
Sometimes he will crawl on top of Rod while he's sitting on the couch. I can tell he doesn't feel comfy up there. He watches murph sit on the couch with us, and wants to as well. Poor bugger.
There are three very good reasons why we don't let him.( unless invited)
The first reason is that of a dominance issue. If we ever let Guy get the upper hand, even once, he will take over in an instant. He is a dog who needs direction and a clear leader(s).
Having a dog lower than you, physically lower, is always best. If he was to lay on rod or on the couch without being invited first, and told when to get off, he might think that Rod now "belongs " to him, and so does the couch. We just avoid it all, and Guy has his own big comfy bed on the floor.
The second reason is....a Guy has drizzle from his wizzle. I have always preferred females for this very reason. I am hoping after he is fixed that will go away. So, best he stay on the floor.
The third reason is injury prevention. for such a large dog to jump on and off furniture could be a disaster.Skipped discs and pinched nerves could lead to paralysis.
I am realizing for the first time what deep profound minds they have. If we ask Guy a question, you can see through his eyes that he is thinking about it...almost person like.
Mastiff's don't scare easily. They are not a jumpy, nervy dogs. He is not afraid of the vacuum, or the broom, hose, car noises.He is afraid of fast cars, and getting soaked from passing cars splashing him. Seems to happen to him a lot.Rod too.
He doesn't bark when someone comes over, he has on occasion barked at the door if we were not home, and a stranger was knocking. but other than that, he doesn't bark.
Guarding is what they do. They have a need to keep a watchful eye on us, which he does very well. He is so confident, but he does look to us for direction when someone comes in the backyard or before being petted by a stranger. He is always calm. He is playful and silly too, burning donuts in the backyard, and playing the bucking bronco.
Mastiffs do not do well if left alone a lot of the time. Its like telling a border Collie not to work the sheep.
because we live in a basement suite, there are no windows he can look out at his level. My bedroom faces the front door. Mr. has taken to jumping on our bed ( which is right under the window) and looking out the window. He only does it when we are not home. well, most of the time. He is clearly torn between wanting to guard the house and wanting to obey us and not jump on the bed, but instinct is sometimes stronger.
It feels nice to have that protection.
so lets go back to the barking for a sec, Guy doesn't sound like any dog I have ever heard. He has a couple of distinct barks. a very loud deep bark with a growl, that is a warning bark, a high pitched squealy kind of bark if he is frustrated with something, and a crying bark if hurt.
It's his groaning and moaning that is not dog like at all. The sounds that come out of him are prehistoric. comparable to what we think Dino's sound like anyway. It brings a smile to my face every time. I am going to do a recording one day and post it on here, it's too funny not to share.
well, as I write, guy is not feeling well, and I can hear his stomach flip flopping around. When a Guy is sick, it's not like when other dogs are sick. He is so big that if he threw up on the floor, it would be comparable to a human doing it, ewe..
better give him a pepto bismol...
As I get to know Guy, he amazes me everyday with his ability to communicate with us. He really IS unlike any dog I have ever known.
First, the sheer size of the beast is wonder like. Living with Guy day after day, does dull our perception of how big he really is. We tend to notice it more when we try to cram him into small spaces. He, for the most part, is always willing and ready. He will very happily cram himself into the tiny back seat of a car if it means going for a car ride.
Sometimes he will crawl on top of Rod while he's sitting on the couch. I can tell he doesn't feel comfy up there. He watches murph sit on the couch with us, and wants to as well. Poor bugger.
There are three very good reasons why we don't let him.( unless invited)
The first reason is that of a dominance issue. If we ever let Guy get the upper hand, even once, he will take over in an instant. He is a dog who needs direction and a clear leader(s).
Having a dog lower than you, physically lower, is always best. If he was to lay on rod or on the couch without being invited first, and told when to get off, he might think that Rod now "belongs " to him, and so does the couch. We just avoid it all, and Guy has his own big comfy bed on the floor.
The second reason is....a Guy has drizzle from his wizzle. I have always preferred females for this very reason. I am hoping after he is fixed that will go away. So, best he stay on the floor.
The third reason is injury prevention. for such a large dog to jump on and off furniture could be a disaster.Skipped discs and pinched nerves could lead to paralysis.
I am realizing for the first time what deep profound minds they have. If we ask Guy a question, you can see through his eyes that he is thinking about it...almost person like.
Mastiff's don't scare easily. They are not a jumpy, nervy dogs. He is not afraid of the vacuum, or the broom, hose, car noises.He is afraid of fast cars, and getting soaked from passing cars splashing him. Seems to happen to him a lot.Rod too.
He doesn't bark when someone comes over, he has on occasion barked at the door if we were not home, and a stranger was knocking. but other than that, he doesn't bark.
Guarding is what they do. They have a need to keep a watchful eye on us, which he does very well. He is so confident, but he does look to us for direction when someone comes in the backyard or before being petted by a stranger. He is always calm. He is playful and silly too, burning donuts in the backyard, and playing the bucking bronco.
Mastiffs do not do well if left alone a lot of the time. Its like telling a border Collie not to work the sheep.
because we live in a basement suite, there are no windows he can look out at his level. My bedroom faces the front door. Mr. has taken to jumping on our bed ( which is right under the window) and looking out the window. He only does it when we are not home. well, most of the time. He is clearly torn between wanting to guard the house and wanting to obey us and not jump on the bed, but instinct is sometimes stronger.
It feels nice to have that protection.
so lets go back to the barking for a sec, Guy doesn't sound like any dog I have ever heard. He has a couple of distinct barks. a very loud deep bark with a growl, that is a warning bark, a high pitched squealy kind of bark if he is frustrated with something, and a crying bark if hurt.
It's his groaning and moaning that is not dog like at all. The sounds that come out of him are prehistoric. comparable to what we think Dino's sound like anyway. It brings a smile to my face every time. I am going to do a recording one day and post it on here, it's too funny not to share.
well, as I write, guy is not feeling well, and I can hear his stomach flip flopping around. When a Guy is sick, it's not like when other dogs are sick. He is so big that if he threw up on the floor, it would be comparable to a human doing it, ewe..
better give him a pepto bismol...
As I get to know Guy, he amazes me everyday with his ability to communicate with us. He really IS unlike any dog I have ever known.
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